AGP Executive Report

Utility Mega-Merger: NextEra (Florida Power & Light) just announced a deal to buy Dominion Energy in a projected ~$67B merger, aiming to scale up power delivery as AI-driven demand and data centers strain grids. Grid Stress Watch: In the Philippines, NGCP warned the Visayas system is running on a razor-thin 57MW reserve margin, with forced outages already shrinking the cushion and raising the odds of more rotational brownouts. Green Hydrogen Push: South Africa’s Coega green hydrogen-ammonia project advanced with selection of a ~$1B electrolyser/ammonia package, targeting 1 million tonnes of green ammonia a year and a final investment decision next year. Renewables + Storage Deals: Oman signed a PPA for a 2.7GW continuous solar-wind-battery project, while Shoals opened a new Tennessee mega facility to expand U.S. manufacturing for solar and BESS infrastructure. Climate Reality Check: Delhi hit a new 2026 peak demand of 7,776MW as heatwaves drive cooling loads. Geopolitics + Energy: India and Norway agreed a “green strategic partnership” to speed clean-energy transition and resilience. Legal Fallout: The U.S. moved to dismiss criminal fraud charges against Gautam Adani after a proposed $10B investment pledge, reshaping a high-profile solar-linked case.

Space Solar Breakthrough: China’s “Zhuri” project says it has built a ground test system that can wirelessly charge multiple moving targets at once, hitting 20.8% DC-to-DC efficiency over 100 meters and powering a drone at speed—another step toward space-based solar that could beam energy down. Legal/Policy Shockwaves: The U.S. Supreme Court let stand Medicare drug-price negotiations, while the U.S. DOJ moved to dismiss and then permanently drop criminal fraud charges against Gautam Adani as other U.S. settlements (SEC and Iran sanctions) wrap up. Grid Pressure From Demand: NextEra’s planned $67B Dominion takeover puts a spotlight on utilities racing to meet AI-driven power growth, even as some places warn of rationing risk. Water + Power Priorities: Pakistan’s PM pushed “results” spending, with water reservoirs and hydropower flagged—while stakeholders demand water gets at least 20% of development budgets. Storage Momentum: EBRD backed Egypt’s Benban solar-plus-battery plan, and the UK approved a new battery storage site in Guisborough. Local Solar Reality Check: In the Philippines, stakeholders warn installed capacity doesn’t equal usable power, and communities question how clean-energy expansion lands on fisheries and Indigenous consent.

Grid Pressure Meets AI Demand: UK regulators say data-centre projects totaling ~100GW are stuck in the grid queue, pushing some operators toward on-site gas generation—potentially undermining the country’s Clean Power 2030 plan. Cross-Border Power Shift: Germany recorded its first net electricity exports since late 2023, helped by falling wholesale prices and renewables making up a majority of exports. Renewables Momentum (OECD): The IEA reports renewables hit nearly 38% of OECD electricity output in February, while fossil generation slipped. Big Build, Big Numbers (India): NTPC crossed 90GW installed capacity after trial runs at an 800MW unit, and says it added 5,488MW renewables in FY26. Policy Execution Watch (Nepal): Lawmakers urged faster infrastructure delivery and better budget execution, citing payment delays and planning gaps. Local Solar, Real-World Rules (Taiwan): Taoyuan issued solar guidelines stressing environmental checks and plans for storing damaged panels after disasters. ASEAN Power Export Push (Malaysia): Sarawak is ramping cross-border electricity sales, including talks toward Brunei and conditional approval for Singapore up to 1GW.

Grid & Policy Shock: Nepal’s Supreme Court ordered the government to renegotiate the Phukot Karnali hydropower deal to raise Nepal’s share of free electricity, with the developer warning the change could make the project unviable—setting up a fresh fight over cross-border power terms. Clean Power Buildout: Britain hit a new solar pace, adding 27,607 installations in March and topping two million total systems, while the Philippines’ BOI fast-tracked two Ilocos Norte solar projects under its Green Lane. Round-the-Clock Renewables: Oman’s Nama PWP and O-Green signed a 2.7 GW continuous hybrid renewables deal (wind+solar+BESS) aimed at stable supply for data centers and industry. Local Access Push: Maryland’s plug-in solar law (HB 1532) takes effect immediately, letting households use portable solar kits with fewer utility hurdles. Energy Security Politics: South Africa marked 365 days without scheduled load shedding, as Eskom shifts from emergency fixes toward planning the next phase away from ageing coal. Blue Economy: Tunisia advanced a coastal tourism and blue-economy strategy, linking marinas, eco-tourism, and renewables.

Strategic Partnership: India and the Netherlands upgraded ties to a “strategic partnership” during PM Modi’s visit, with cooperation spanning clean energy, defense, cyber security, semiconductors, AI, quantum tech, agriculture, and water management—plus a push for uninterrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Grid & Permitting Clash: Maine is moving to deny Brookfield Renewable’s Ellsworth dam permit over water-quality and fish-passage concerns, reigniting the fight over whether aging hydropower can keep operating under modern environmental rules. Renewables Under Pressure: A fresh wave of criticism targets wind power—while Europe’s wind industry warns attacks on wind threaten energy security. Transmission vs. Nature: California’s proposed Golden Pacific Powerlink would cut through Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, drawing outrage over the cost to protected land. Energy Transition in Practice: Nepal plans to phase out LPG grants and subsidize electric stoves to curb import costs, as LPG spending keeps climbing. Regional Energy Security: ASEAN’s “energy crisis” framing ties today’s LNG price shock to the Strait of Hormuz risk—turning fossil volatility into a renewables urgency.

Energy Policy Push (Nepal): Nepal says it will open electricity generation, transmission, distribution and energy trade to more private investment, using cross-border power deals to pull in long-term capital—while also locking in a river-protection approach built around culture, biodiversity and “continuously flowing” waterways. Water Stress (US): The Colorado River crisis is tightening fast as record-low Rockies snowpack drains Lake Mead and Lake Powell, with federal releases and state conservation plans ramping up—though experts warn mandatory cuts could worsen without a broader interstate agreement. Hydropower Funding (Pakistan): Pakistan is seeking another $300m from the World Bank for Tarbela Fourth Extension Hydropower (T4HP) cost overruns, tied to keeping Tunnel 5 and reservoir operations safe. Clean Power (UAE): Abu Dhabi targets solar capacity above 30GW by 2035, aiming for about 40% of generation from solar. Grid + AI Demand (Kenya): Schneider Electric flags AI-driven data-center growth as a reason Africa must accelerate electrification, especially where renewables already lead. Climate/Geopolitics (Strait of Hormuz → Malacca): Southeast Asia is watching shipping chokepoints closely, warning today’s Middle East turmoil could be a “dry run” for wider Pacific conflict. Hydrogen Trial (Nepal): Nepal reports a first-of-its-kind green hydrogen cooking gas test moving toward commercial use after surplus hydropower powered the process.

India Clean-Industry Playbook: A new Ember analysis says India could industrialise without locking into coal, oil and gas, pushing an “electrotech fast-track” built on solar, batteries, EVs and electrification—while the next bottleneck is grid readiness, storage and supply chains. US Clean-Energy Chill: Rhodium Group research says Chinese firms have paused or abandoned about $2.8B in US clean-energy plans since 2022 as rules tighten. Solar-After-Sunset Push: Madhya Pradesh is moving stored solar into procurement, with bids for 250 MW of solar plus batteries or pumped hydro to cover evening peak. Grid vs Data Centers: Lake Tahoe-area residents face a looming power cutoff as a Nevada supplier plans to redirect capacity to data centers. Policy on the Move: Rajasthan spotlights farmer-led PM-KUSUM solar; Andhra Pradesh launches “Surya Ghar” for mass rooftop connections; Zambia pitches community solar by constituency as a climate-and-development model. Deal Watch: The US agreed to settle an SEC lawsuit tied to Adani’s India solar project.

Legal Fallout in Clean Energy Finance: The US DOJ is reportedly moving to drop Gautam Adani’s $265M fraud case, while the SEC has already secured an $18M settlement from Adani and his nephew Sagar—another sign that major solar-linked legal pressure may be easing, even as critics accuse the deal of political bargaining. Solar Under Pressure: A new Oxford/UCL study finds coal pollution is cutting solar output globally (5.8% in 2023), with the hit worst where coal and solar sit close together. Grid Bottlenecks Meet Reality: Nepal’s energy minister says wasted electricity from missing transmission lines must stop, pushing for faster grid buildout. Storage Momentum: Grid battery installs jumped 48% in 2025, led by China and the US, and UK EV-charging operator InstaVolt is adding batteries to speed connections. Local Solar Friction: Sussex County P&Z is frustrated that many approved solar projects sit idle, tying up land without delivering power.

Shell Nigeria Gas Forum: Shell Nigeria convened industry players in Port Harcourt to push natural gas adoption, adding two new industrial customers to its expanding distribution network. Solar+Storage Procurement: India’s Rewa Ultra Mega Solar (RUMSL) launched two solar-plus-storage projects (50 MW and 200 MW) aiming for “assured” peak supply, with pre-bids set for May 29. Green Ammonia Deal: Jordan signed a 45-year agreement for a $1.1bn green ammonia project in Aqaba targeting 100,000 tonnes/year for Europe. Wind Momentum: GWEC reports a sharp jump in 2025 wind turbine installations, with OEMs scaling up despite supply-chain strain. Energy Under Attack: Ukraine’s grid operator says outages hit six regions after Russian strikes, while operators urge shifting demand toward solar hours. US Legal Update: Gautam Adani agreed to a civil SEC settlement totaling $18m as prosecutors move to drop parallel criminal fraud charges. Grid Pressure from Heat: Vietnam urged businesses and households to cut power as consumption hit a yearly high amid a forecast heat wave.

Data Centers vs. the Grid: The EPA moved to weaken a Biden-era water pollution rule for coal plants, arguing the change would help keep power available for the AI/data-center boom. Corporate Clean Power: Japan’s corporate buyers are finally shifting from utility-only procurement toward more active PPA buying as demand and decarbonization pressure rise. Solar Storage Breakthrough: UC Santa Barbara researchers say they’ve “bottled the sun” using a reusable molecular material that stores solar energy chemically and releases it as heat. Wind Expansion Abroad: Envision Energy and Cape Breton China Corp are teaming on a 300MW wind-plus-storage project in Nova Scotia, while Turkey defined its first offshore wind tender zones for 2026. Hydropower Policy: A U.S. bill signed by Trump extends hydropower permits for six years, aiming to speed projects. Finance Watch: Gautam Adani agreed to pay $6m to settle SEC fraud allegations, with a parallel Justice Department move reported to drop charges. Local Energy Push: Bangladesh’s BEZA is piloting a 130–140MW grid-tied solar plus battery project in Sonagazi, with procurement expected to start in August 2026.

Grid Shock & Protests: Cuba’s fuel runs out—diesel and fuel oil are gone—triggering rolling blackouts up to 22 hours a day and rare mass protests in Havana as the US blockade tightens. Policy Clash: In the US, Interior Sec Doug Burgum got mocked in Congress after claiming solar “produces zero electricity” at night, with battery storage pushed back into the spotlight. EV Buildout: Texas is set to add about 588+ public EV charging ports under NEVI Phase II, expanding fast-charging along travel corridors. Wind Momentum: Turkey has named four offshore wind candidate YEKA zones and targets its first offshore tender in the permitting pipeline. Storage Rules: Gujarat released draft BESS regulations to let batteries bid and provide grid services, including standalone projects. Renewables Pipeline: Oman is moving toward its first round-the-clock solar+wind+battery project, while Uzbekistan and Voltalia are advancing wind plus large storage plans. Market Watch: Nepal’s NEPSE slid 10.07 points amid higher turnover. Risk Spotlight: Solar faces rising fire and battery-fault risks, while DNV issued new floating-solar safety and performance standards.

Data Center Pressure Hits the Grid: Pennsylvania’s “mid-sized” solar push is gaining attention as utilities struggle to keep up with rising electricity demand, but developers warn rule fights could slow new projects. Distributed Solar Finance: Nigeria’s REA and partners are launching a $188m blended-finance fund aimed at adding 191MW of distributed solar for households and businesses. Crisis Watch—Cuba: Cuba has run out of diesel and fuel oil, with blackouts reaching up to 22 hours a day, even as it leans on renewables that are being undermined by grid instability. Policy Friction: New Zealand is weighing how to streamline residential solar approvals after regulators show most households could save over NZ$1,000 a year—yet only a small share has installed. Grid Expansion in the Real World: B.C. Hydro selected four wind projects for power purchase deals, while Mongolia approved solar-plus-battery builds to cut import dependence. Environmental Backlash: India’s Rajasthan High Court called felling Khejri trees for solar a “breathtaking irony,” ordering tighter protections. AI Power Escalation: Google and SpaceX are reportedly in talks on orbital AI data centers, underscoring how computing demand is reshaping energy debates worldwide.

Clean Energy Dealmaking in Africa: France and African leaders announced $11B+ in renewable investments, including a Kenya Airways–Rubis Energy plan for 32,000 tons/year of sustainable aviation fuel and new solar, wind, hydropower, and clean-cooking projects. Big Tech Power Demand: Meta signed 850MW of US solar-and-storage PPAs with DESRI, underscoring how AI buildouts keep pulling capital into renewables. Grid Strain & Wasted Power: Europe is facing record solar curtailment as ageing grids can’t absorb summer surges—analysts warn waste could hit 40TWh. Water Stress Watch: Lake Powell’s latest time-lapse shows continued decline, with forecasts pointing to record-low inflows and risks for hydropower. Local Execution Reality Check: Hyderabad’s first solar-powered footpath is still delayed after manpower and execution issues. Policy Pressure: UK power prices are increasingly decoupling from gas thanks to CfD-backed renewables, while EU lawmakers push for a special CBAM approach for Ukraine. Data Centers vs Communities: A fresh wave of reporting argues hyperscale centers are driving conflicts over farmland, water, and electricity.

Data-center backlash hits a new flashpoint: Tucson says a contractor for the still-controversial “Project Blue” data center used Tucson water during construction even after the city rejected the project over water and power fears—then revoked the permit. AI power race, energy reality: In Norway, Nscale just secured $790M financing for its Narvik AI campus, with a utility-style deal structure tied to a potential 115 MW expansion—another sign lenders see hyperscale sites as long-duration infrastructure. Clean backup power scales up: Bridge Data Centres completed a pilot using waste-based HVO biodiesel for emergency backup power in Asia-Pacific, targeting up to 90% lower emissions. Hydropower gets a regulatory boost: Trump signed the Newhouse/Daines “Build More Hydro” bill extending construction deadlines for licensed hydropower projects. Solar policy momentum: Colorado removed barriers to “balcony solar,” and Virginia’s governor signed solar affordability/access bills. Grid stress stays in focus: Willamette Valley reservoirs sit at 68% full as drought worsens, with Corps sessions set to discuss summer impacts.

Grid-Scale Storage Push: Gujarat kicked off 870 MW of battery storage across five sites and logged 13 more BESS projects, aiming to smooth solar and wind swings and keep the grid stable. Zambia Solar Comes Online: Copperbelt Energy energized the 136 MW Itimpi Phase II plant—Zambia’s biggest single PV project—while Sungrow says the country is using solar to cut drought-driven hydropower volatility. Fuel Subsidy Debate: The World Bank urged Fiji to protect people with targeted support instead of broad fuel subsidies, warning that subsidies strain budgets and blunt incentives to cut consumption or invest in alternatives. Energy Security Under Pressure: Iran’s clean power surge is being framed as a strategic target amid the US-Israeli-Iran conflict, while Indonesians were told to conserve fuel as global prices stay jumpy. Data Centers Meet Reality: A new explainer ties AI-driven electricity demand to rising outage risk, and one offshore concept even tries to cool compute with ocean heat.

Hydropower Policy Win: President Trump signed the “Build More Hydro” bill (S.1020), extending construction timelines for certain pre-2020 hydropower projects by up to six years—an immediate boost for U.S. supply planning as demand rises. Data Center Backlash: In New York, Lansing’s planning board told TeraWulf its Cayuga Lake data center application is still incomplete, adding to local pushback on power-hungry AI builds. Coal’s Dirty Comeback: A new report says more coal is being burned and tighter mercury rules are being rolled back, with coal plants ordered to stay open longer—raising fresh air-quality alarms. Grid Stress & Outages: Storms in Louisiana triggered flooding and power outages, while Kampala commissioned new substations to evacuate more Bujagali power amid recurring blackouts. Clean Industry Proof Points: Sri Lanka’s RTS Holdings won “Zero Carbon Manufacturing Certification” for two tea factories, and India’s Sai Life Sciences says its Bidar campus is now fully on renewable electricity. EV Consumer Fallout: Thailand’s government is moving to address EV after-sales problems as complaints and rapid price cuts mount. Space Solar for Compute: Cowboy Space raised $275M to build orbital AI data centers powered by solar in low-Earth orbit.